AIDA the Musical - A Timeless Love Story

In the Minds of AIDA
Reston Community Players
By Shauna Atwood

When Reston Community Players opens its rousing production of the four-time Tony Award-winning musical AIDA on October 20^th, audiences will journey through a story of forbidden love between a Nubian princess and an Egyptian soldier betrothed to the Pharaoh’s daughter. Meet Tara Lynn Yates-Reeves, Brett Harwood, and Claire O’Brien Jeffrey, who play Aida, Radames, and Amneris.

Tara Lynn Yates-Reeves is a full-time elementary vocal music teacher. Her first love has always been performing, whether singing, dancing, acting, or all three. Six years ago she performed in the production and became enthralled with the musical and knew someday she wanted to be part of the show. This time as Aida.

Brett Harwood is a 3rd grade math/science teacher in Montgomery County Public School and has been performing around the DC/Baltimore area for over 15 years. He is performing in his second show with RCP and was last seen as Lonny in Rock of Ages. Initially drawn to AIDA by its beautiful music he was also interested in the complexity of the characters. Mr. Harwood is also a huge fan of Adam Pascal, who originated the role of Radames in the Broadway production. He is very excited to finally be able to play Radames, his dream role.

Claire O’Brien Jeffrey works for a marketing and video production association during the day and has been involved in community theater in the DC area since 2010. She was last seen on the RCP stage as Sherrie in Rock of Ages. Landing the role of Amneris, Claire loves the music and its sweeping love story.

Shauna: What makes AIDA special or unique?

Tara: What makes the show Aida special is the fact that it is derived from a Verdi, classical opera of the same name, yet has been masterfully scripted and orchestrated into a pop/rock contemporary score that both younger and older audience members can enjoy. This allows the story to reach an even broader audience, and I know of some people who saw the musical version of Aida first, heard that it was based off of the classical Verdi production, and went to go see the classical production out of interest in comparing and contrasting the two.

Brett: I truly believe the music is what makes this show special. Aida includes many different styles of music, all of which are filled with wonderful opportunities to explore different layers of all the characters. Each song oozes with passion and emotion. It’s hard not to fall in love with a show like Aida.

Claire: Aida is an epic story - the stakes are so high for all the characters involved. It's definitely heightened reality.

Shauna: What is your favorite line in AIDA?

Tara: My favorite line in the show is one of Amneris' lines, during which she tells Radames off after he leads her on and does not follow through with a plan. It's my favorite line because it is such a harsh sting Lol, it never gets old, and also presents another side of Amneris' personality that viewers may not have seen earlier in the show.

Brett: I actually have two favorite lines in this show. The first line is actually the title of a song in the production, "Fortune Favors the Brave". I feel like bravery is absolutely necessary to accomplish goals and overcome obstacles. Taking on this big of a show/role excites me and scares me to death. Bravery is key and with that, comes good fortune in return. My other favorite line is said by Aida in which my character is complaining to her that my aspirations/dreams are impossible to achieve given my circumstances and she replies by saying "if you don't like your fate, change it. You are your own master. There are no shackles on you." I believe that if you want something in life, you can't sit and wait for it to happen and/or blame other people for it not happening or for any misfortunes that come along the way. If you aren't happy, you need to change something. What Aida is saying is that we do have the power to change our circumstances. I firmly believe we have the right and responsibility to do that.

Claire: "Fortune favors the brave." I think it's a good reminder that we can't be passive - if we want something, we have to be brave enough to go for it.

Shauna: What do you hope audiences take away from seeing AIDA?

Tara: What I hope the audiences take away from Aida is that within any circumstances, any challenges and any situation, even war, you can find love...and love is eternal.

Brett: I hope audiences can take away a great appreciation of music after seeing this show. Aida really does pull at your heartstrings and if we can invoke some emotion and move our audience, I think that would be very special. I would also like for the audience to take away the idea that you have to be true to yourself and who you really are, no matter what people may think of you or what the consequences may be. Giving in to love and being brave can have such a sense of difficulty and triumph.

Claire: I hope audiences can escape from our complicated reality for a few hours - block out all the noise and distraction and bad news, and just be swept away into another time and place. Aida has this line that more or less says if you don't like your fate, change it. I hope audiences take that to heart.

Tara, Brett, and Claire appear in the Reston Players' production of AIDA from October 20 – November 11, 2017 at CenterStage at the Reston Community Center – 2310 Colts Neck Road, in Reston, VA.

Performances are October 20^th, 21^st, 27^th, 28^th, and 29^th and November 3^rd, 4^th, 5^th, 10^th, and 11^th at 8 PM. Performances on October 29^th and November 5^th have a 2 PM matinee curtain call. For tickets, call the box office at (703) 476-4500 x3, or purchase them online.

CenterStage is handicap accessible and offers listening devices for the hearing impaired.